How to become a General and Operations Manager
Official title: General and Operations Managers
Also called: Business Manager, Center Manager, Department Manager, District Manager, General Manager (GM), Operations Director, Operations General Manager (Operations GM), Operations Manager, Plant Superintendent, Store Manager
Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
Main tasks
- Review financial statements, sales or activity reports, or other performance data to measure productivity or goal achievement or to identify areas needing cost reduction or program improvement.
- Direct and coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with the production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
- Direct administrative activities directly related to making products or providing services.
- Prepare staff work schedules and assign specific duties.
- Direct or coordinate financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
- Plan or direct activities, such as sales promotions, that require coordination with other department managers.
- Perform personnel functions, such as selection, training, or evaluation.
- Establish or implement departmental policies, goals, objectives, or procedures in conjunction with board members, organization officials, or staff members.
How to become one
Top executives typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience to enter the occupation.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Operations Management.
- Apprenticeship: Professional Golf & Operations Manager.
- College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
- Licence: A licence is required in 23 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $105,770 a year The middle half earn $72,320 to $167,280.
- About 3,599,000 people work in this job now, and about 3,780,300 are projected by 2035. (+5%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a General and Operations Manager?
Top executives typically need at least a bachelor's degree and considerable work experience to enter the occupation.
How much does a General and Operations Manager earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $105,770 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $72,320 to $167,280.
Is a General and Operations Manager a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 3,599,000 to about 3,780,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a General and Operations Manager?
Not always. 47% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Operations Management.
Will AI change the work of a General and Operations Manager?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.